5 Ways to Celebrate a Vegan Earth Day

Earth Day (which takes place April 22) is a time to celebrate this magnificent planet we call home. However, our home is in trouble, and now is the time to fight for positive change. One reason the earth is experiencing some of the hottest years on record is due to animal agriculture. Trees are being burned to make room for animal agriculture, and according to The World Bank, factory farming is responsible for up to 91 percent of the Amazon rainforest’s destruction. Sadly, there are many more contributing factors to climate change, many of which are due to the way animals are raised for food. The time to take our climate crisis seriously is now, which is why we’ve created five ways we can celebrate a vegan Earth Day.

1. Clean up the beachEarth Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate our beaches because the ocean takes up 70 percent of the earth’s surface, while 97 percent of earth’s water is found in the ocean. Oceans help us survive because they generate half of the oxygen we breathe and take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This Earth Day, you can enjoy your local beach and help save the planet by bringing a bucket and gloves to safely pick up trash. According to National Geographic, there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the sea and 269,000 tons of it float on the ocean surface. Without action, we could see fishless oceans by 2048 due to the trash and chemicals being dumped into the water and the millions of fish pulled from the oceans each year. So bring your friends, and clean up the beach!

2. Save the beesBees are dying at a startling rate, which is worrisome for all humans because bees pollinate our fruit and vegetables. In 2014, The Huffington Post detailed a Harvard study that found that bees are dying due to pesticides such as neonicotinoids, which kill insects by targeting their central nervous systems. To help replenish the bee population, plant bee-friendly plants such as lavender, California lilac, sunflowers, mint, rosemary, and thyme. Another way to help bees is to create a bee bath. Fill a shallow container with water and fill it with twigs and pebbles at the bottom. The twigs and pebbles help the bees stand to get their water. Replenish the water and clean the container every day to keep the bee bath hospitable to the bees you hope to attract. so the bees will know they can return as much as they want.

3. Spread the vegan wordThis Earth Day, have a conversation with the omnivores in your life and remind them of just how harmful meat-eating is for the environment. You can mention to your friends and family that it takes 1,847 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef, 718 gallons for a pound of pork, and 518 gallons of water for every pound of chicken. The documentary Cowspiracy explains the benefits of a vegan diet perfectly: each day “a vegan diet saves 1,100 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grain, 30 square feet of forested land, 20 pounds of CO2 equivalent, and one animal’s life.” If numbers still don’t convince your meat-eating friends, try cooking them an amazing vegan meal. The earth will thank you in return.

4. Switch from plastic to reusable productsWhether it’s plastic bags for grocery shopping or plastic water bottles for drinking, we’ve all been guilty of using plastic. To remedy this, buy reusable bags for shopping. If you forget your reusable bags and you have only a few items, carry them to your car. Eventually, bringing reusable bags will become habitual whenever you are out and about. Also, purchase a reusable bottle to bring everywhere for all your coffee, water, or tea needs.

5. March!On April 22, Washington, DC, will be hosting a March for Science to “enact evidence-based policies in the public interest.” Across the country, similar marches will be held to show solidarity with the DC event. Attend one of these marches on Earth Day to promote how a vegan diet is saving the planet. Science has proven that eating meat is destroying our planet, so bring a “Go Vegan” sign to generate conversations with others who are interested in this lifestyle. Explain to them how easy going vegan can be and how essential it is to save the planet.

Rebecca Sykes is a writer and a passionate vegan who is hoping to open her own animal sanctuary one day.